No ads or with ads?

[ffeingol]

Hello,

I'd like to post a freee hosting offer, but I have a question. We don't have any "ads" per-se, but we add a small link in the bottom of all pages. Is that considered an add or not?

I just want to post in the right place.

Frank

[JTY]

Where is it linking to?

[Mike_FWT]

Seems like a small image or link back to the host providing the free space isn't really the same thing as running banners, pops, or whatever 3rd party advertising that a lot of "ad-supported" hosts run. That's just my opinion though.

Seems like this would be a good place to sort this out... maybe we can come up with a strong definition and criteria for what constitutes a really ad-free site and not.

[KimmiKat]

If it's linking to the Host's welcome page, I don't think it's considered an ad. If you put Google Ads like some do, that's a different story.

[Mat Sumpter]

Possibly Free (No Ads), Free (Ads - Banners), Free (Ads - Sponsored)...

[ffeingol]

A little bit of explaination first. This hosting is only for Mambo (an Open Source CMS). There are 2 links. One is to the Mambo project and the other is to our main hosting site.

http://www.freemambohosting.com/ is the actual offer, but it also has an example of the links at the page bottom.

Thanks,

Frank

[Odd Fact]

Yes we may want to specify ads. In the case one link is to the main host so the offer does not fall into the "No Ads" catagory. However the link is more acceptable from users than banners.

[LP-Trel]

In the free webhosting industry some of us prefer a very strict definition of what makes us different.

Free Webhosting == The business of giving webhosting requiring no exchange of money. A setup fee would make a "free" webhost paid in our eyes.

No Advertisements Free Webhost == A webhost that gives space and asks for nothing to be placed on the users' pages at all. Text links, buttons or other such small advertisements would not fit the definition of no advertisements.

I think this is important as it will keep the "free" webhosts out and allow those of us that do provide honest services a fair chance.

[SoftWareRevue]

I would think that requiring a link to your site, is advertising. After all; isn't that why it's done?

[LP-Trel]

I would think that requiring a link to your site, is advertising. After all; isn't that why it's done?

Exactly my point but, somehow there are still people that believe it isn't advertising.

[maxhest]

It is advertising, if it has ref. to your site, then it is advertising.

[LP-Trel]

It is advertising, if it has ref. to your site, then it is advertising.

I would go more broad with it and say any content imposed on your users that isn't placed there by them of their own free will would be advertising.

[Plead]

I would go more broad with it and say any content imposed on your users that isn't placed there by them of their own free will would be advertising.
I agree 100% on that.

I also think that any 404 pages(or any error pages) that link back to the host is also advertising but thats just me.

[LP-Trel]

I agree 100% on that.

I also think that any 404 pages(or any error pages) that link back to the host is also advertising but thats just me.

Good point, I forgot about that kind of advertising. I'd say that other error pages count as well.

[ffeingol]

We just made life easy and posted in the ads forum. IMHO there is some difference between small links in a footer and banners/popups etc., but I'm not going to split hairs.

Frank

[Plead]

We just made life easy and posted in the ads forum. IMHO there is some difference between small links in a footer and banners/popups etc., but I'm not going to split hairs.

Frank
Not everyone thinks the same obviously but I think it is always to just go with the majority so there isn't any hassle and/or confusion :)

[LP-Trel]

We just made life easy and posted in the ads forum. IMHO there is some difference between small links in a footer and banners/popups etc., but I'm not going to split hairs.

Frank

I agree there is a difference but, when you are forced into strict categories such as advertisements and no advertisements... the purist view must be that text links count as advertisements.

[freerackspace.org]

I agree, a link back to the hosts homepage is advertising, since they are using the link to advertise their own website.